Dragons’ Den favourite Peter Jones bares his soul in this week’s episode of the BBC One series when he reveals the tragic death of his dad.
The usually cheerful Peter becomes emotional when a budding entrepreneur shares her own personal grief during a pitch on Thursday’s show [October 16].
When the young entrepreneur breaks down in tears, recalling the sudden death of her father, Peter consoles her with the words: “I feel your pain.”
Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones shares grief of losing dad
Peter Jones is the last remaining original investor on the BBC One show and is currently appearing in the 22nd series.
In episode 12, a young entrepreneur appears in the Den pitching her mobile grave-tending service Graceful Graves. Jay McGregor tells the six Dragons – including guest Emma Grede – that the business idea “came out of nowhere” much like her beloved dad’s unexpected death. Jay explains: “Out of that pain came a lot of purpose.”
The South Londoner says: “I created Graceful Graves after sadly losing my dad in March 2020. I found myself always cleaning and tidying his grave. I was there so frequently, that other visitors often asked me if that was my job and if I could help them too.”
As Jay struggled to control her emotions, and even had to step aside to wipe her tears, Peter offered his condolences. He also shared his own battle with grief.
He told her: “I feel your pain, because I lost my dad last year.”
Who was Peter Jones’ dad?
Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones has often spoken about his dad David Jones over the years, and credits him for helping him on the road to success.
Although his parents weren’t rich, Peter Jones – now 59 – has subsequently become a billionaire.
Talking about his childhood, Peter says on his official website: “I was born in 1966 and raised in Berkshire. When I was seven, I often went to my father’s office in Windsor because I loved sitting in his big chair and pretending to be in charge of a big company, even though it was a small office and just him.”
He continues: “My parents wanted the best for me and sent me for a couple of terms to private school. It was financially crippling for them to send me there. And, moreover, I didn’t like it, finding it very different from what I was used to. So at the age of eight I left, spending the rest of my school years in state schools.
“Both my parents worked full-time for over 50 years to provide the family with as much as they could. We never went without, but I always yearned for more. I wanted to do the best I could, knowing that one day I was going to be a multi-millionaire.”
How did Peter Jones make his money?
Peter Jones, CBE, is one of Britain’s best-known entrepreneurs, and is the longest serving Dragon in the world! He’s been on Dragons’ Den since the very first UK series in 2005.
His business career started at the age of 16 when he set up his own tennis academy. He went on to start his own computer business at 17, while studying A-Levels at school. Peter subsequently became a millionaire at just 21 years of age.
Peter, who is in a long-term relationship with interior designer Tara Capp, now has a wide-ranging business portfolio of over 35 companies under his PJ Investment Group.
How much has he pledged in the Den?
Dad of five Peter, who is 6’7, has so far pledged to invest almost £7m in the Den. His investments include:
Wonderland Magazine (S1, pop culture magazine).
Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Sauce (S4, Caribbean Sauce).
The Tiny Box Company (S6, online gift packaging).
Solar Buddies (S20, child-friendly sunscreen applicator).
This week isn’t the first time he’s opened up about loss on Dragons’ Den. Although he is worth an estimated £1.276bn, according to the Sunday Times Rich List, there was once a time when he was homeless.
During series 21 of the series, Peter shared a painful part of his past with those in the Den, and viewers watching from home. During episode 4, Peter was faced with a couple who were living in a static caravan with their two children as they tried to make their business profitable.
Peter went on to recall the time when he was homeless, calling it a “terrible time” when he “had nothing”. He said: “I know what it’s like to have nothing. I’ve slept in a warehouse, for a long time, with no money.”
He added: “But I got through it. And then I started my own thing again. And, boy, my life changed immeasurably.”
Peter was forced to live on a warehouse floor after losing millions of pounds. He was just 28 when a serious judgement of error lost his his fortune. He said: “The late twenties, I got a bit carried away. I made huge mistakes and then lost everything. I lost everything I had.”
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